Chapter 547 Imagination
Caroline was totally floored, like her brain just exploded with a bunch of fireworks.
Her eyes went wide, feeling the soft, warm touch on her lips.
Nicholas pulled back, looking all reluctant.
Seeing her cute, dazed look, Nicholas couldn't help but grin.
The first time he kissed her, she had the same adorable, spaced-out expression.
It took Caroline a good thirty seconds to snap out of it. She touched her lips, feeling all flustered.
The vibe was kinda awkward and weird.
Caroline jumped up.
"It's late, I'm hitting the sack."
Nicholas asked, "Uh, where do I crash?"
Caroline pointed to a room, then bolted upstairs.
Nicholas chuckled to himself.
Back in her room, Caroline pressed her hand to her racing heart, finally realizing.
'How did I let him stay?' Caroline thought.
But now it’d be super awkward to kick Nicholas out, especially with Paul and Clayton here. It wouldn’t make sense to boot just him.
Caroline lay in bed, wide awake. Every time she shut her eyes, she replayed that kiss.
She felt like such a loser, still having feelings for him.
But there was this huge gap between them, like an unbridgeable chasm.
Paul posted a video on Facebook, the one where Clayton, drunk, said he wanted to make Caroline his sister.
He didn’t block anyone from seeing it, so of course, Daisy saw it too.
She watched the video on repeat.
Even though the video didn’t show Caroline and Nicholas, she just knew that on New Year’s Eve, Nicholas was at Caroline’s place, spending New Year’s with her!
'Even Clayton was there!' Daisy thought.
Linda said Clayton went to a friend’s house.
Daisy wondered, 'Is that friend Caroline? How dare Clayton! How dare he say he wanted to make Caroline his sister!'
Daisy was fuming, and her stomach started to ache.
It hadn’t been easy carrying this baby, and Nicholas hadn’t been around at all. Mia went with her to prenatal check-ups, and Daisy was often pissed off by Caroline and Nicholas.
Finally, there was just one month left until the baby was due.
Daisy tried hard to calm down; she had to deliver this baby safely!
After a bit, Daisy sent the video to Mia.
Michael had slipped out after dinner and hadn’t come back yet.
Mia knew exactly where Michael had gone—to his mistress.
When she saw the video, her heart sank, and she rushed to Daisy’s room.
"Daisy, does Clayton know who Caroline really is?"
Daisy shook her head. "No way. Clayton’s not that sharp; he couldn’t have figured it out before Daniel."
Mia felt uneasy. "Then what’s up with this video?"
"I think Clayton was just talking drunk nonsense. When he gets back tomorrow, we’ll ask him. We gotta stop him from seeing Caroline."
Daisy thought, 'Clayton and Caroline are real siblings. Even though Clayton had a falling out with Caroline because of me, what if Caroline doesn’t care? What if, after more contact, Caroline figures something out?'
Mia nodded in agreement.
Daisy sneered, "Mom, I think this fake Diana is getting pretty comfy playing the role of the Wolfs' heiress."
Mia scoffed. "Diana? Only Linda treats her like she’s special. Daniel’s too busy with work to care about her."
"After New Year, is Samuel gonna start working at the company?" Daisy asked, adjusting a cushion under her lower back.
"Yeah, I think Daniel's all about grooming him for the big leagues," Mia said, squeezing Daisy's hand. "You just focus on popping out that baby. Your bro Samuel's gonna take over the company someday. Then it'll be all ours. As for that idiot Clayton, let him do his thing; he's not our problem."
"Got it."
Daisy and Mia then drifted off into daydreams about their perfect future.
Over at Lancaster Manor, it was Sophia's first New Year's Eve there since coming back, and it was the most happening one yet.
Right after midnight, Sophia's phone blew up with New Year's messages.
Even Jake, all the way in Country M, sent a quick text.
Jake: [Happy New Year.]
Sophia replied: [Happy New Year.]
She was busy replying to all her friends when suddenly, a deep voice whispered in her ear.
"Happy New Year."
Sophia jumped, smacking Gabriel's chin with her head.
Gabriel winced, rubbing his chin and giving her a look.
"Sorry, sorry! You scared me!" Sophia said, looking all innocent.
Gabriel snorted, dropping his hand and lifting his chin.
"Check if it's bruised."
Sophia leaned in, examining it closely.
"Nope."
"But it hurts."
Sophia frowned, thinking. She had hit him pretty hard; her head hurt too, but it seemed fine.
Seeing Gabriel's pained expression, Sophia sighed. "Want me to get you some ice?"
"Sure."
Sophia headed to the kitchen for some ice, while Gabriel lounged on the couch, grinning.
A bit later, Sophia came back with the ice.
"Put it on for me," Gabriel said, all casual.
With a resigned sigh, Sophia wrapped the ice in a cloth and pressed it to his chin.
Gabriel groaned, leaning into her touch.
"Does it hurt a lot?" Sophia asked, concerned.
"A bit."
Sophia muttered, "Could it be dislocated?"
Gabriel shook his head. "Nah, it'll be fine soon."
Since she had to hold the ice, Sophia leaned in closer. Her scent filled the air, and Gabriel took a deep breath.
Her long hair fell over her shoulders as she bent down.
Gabriel's Adam's apple bobbed.
He fought the urge in his heart.
"Done," Sophia said, her hand getting tired.
Gabriel touched his now cold chin.
"Thanks."
Sophia said, "Next time, make some noise when you walk."
Gabriel shot back, "You were too into your phone."
Sophia went quiet.
"Tomorrow's the first day of the New Year. Lots of people will visit, so get some rest," Gabriel said, standing up.
"Okay."
Sophia poured out the melted water.
They went upstairs together and headed to their rooms.
"Sophia," Gabriel called out suddenly.
"What?"
"Happy New Year."
Gabriel's "Happy New Year" seemed loaded with meaning, making Sophia pause and smile.
"Happy New Year."
Last year had been a rollercoaster, with life-and-death moments. She hoped this year would be smooth and the kids would grow up healthy and safe.
The next day, a ton of people showed up at Lancaster Manor.
Ruth didn't want to get up, leaving all the socializing to Sophia and Gabriel. Gabriel, saying he couldn't handle it alone, dragged Sophia along to entertain the guests.
Most of the visitors were relatives and friends. By the afternoon, everyone had left, and then some news came through.
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